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Sign A Contract… It’s More Than Just a “Goal”

By Roger Lockridge

Have you resolved that THIS is the year that you’ll do something incredible? If so, that’s great. Unfortunately, many of these resolutions are forgotten by February 1st and some a whole lot sooner than that.

Would you like to make this the year those goals reach the finish line? Here’s something I used to do with clients back in my personal training days and it worked tremendously for them. As great as a handshake agreement may be, nowadays things have to be official – printed in black and white to insure that everything is final and certain to happen.

Contracts are used in all forms of business and they should be used with your personal goals and effort.

If a client came in and wanted my services, I would ask them to write up a contract. Seeing it on paper makes it official, it put more pressure on the client to make it happen. This wouldn’t have anything to do with me because the only person bound to the contract is the client. It’s a contract with yourself! This isn’t just a piece of paper with a blanket statement and a place to sign. This is as close to official as it gets. Here’s what the contract includes:

Dates of Service – When are you starting, and more importantly, when is your finish date? The deadline puts pressure on you to get it done and take advantage of every opportunity so you can maximize your chances of success.

Overall Goals – Simply putting that you will “lose weight” or “get in shape” isn’t going to cut it. Where are you at now and what do you want to do? Do you weigh 250 but want to weigh 220? Do you want to run your first 5K? Make this goal the obligation of the contract.

Steps to Achieve the Goals – This part covers what you’ll do – training, nutrition, motivation, and anything else to help you reach your goal.

Reward – What will you do for yourself when you reach your goal? Take a vacation, buy something new and expensive like a car? This part is critical because this incentive will motivate you on those days it might be tougher to get going.

What It Doesn’t Include – My contracts never include an obligation in case of failure. That would acknowledge the chance of failure and that’s not an option. Once this was written and signed, success was the only option.

While you’re starting out on your 2016 plans, write your own contract. You might find it’ll go a long way in helping you make 2016 your best year ever.

Roger’s work has been featured globally in eight different languages. Respected not only for his vast knowledge in areas of fitness and strength training, but also for his inspiring work as a child advocate and childhood domestic violence awareness speaker. Formerly a Bodybuilding.com “Writer of the Year”, Roger also works with major brands from around the fitness industry.

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